The ruby red
Venus Drug fooled the senses by enhancing a person's physical attributes-giving
men more muscles and women more curves. A space smuggler named Harcourt Fenton
"Harry" Mudd was found to be in the possession of the Venus Drug when
apprehended transporting three women that he hoped to sell as wives to settlers
on distant planets. He gave the Venus Drug to the women to make them more
desirable, but their sudden allure soon faded without the assistance of the
drug.

Eve McHuron (Karen Steele) one of Mudd's women unknowingly took a placebo
dose of the Venus Drug and discovered her inner beauty still shined through even
without the aid of the reality altering substance. As Kirk reminded Eve, "You
either believe in yourself or you don't."

Mudd's Women

TRIVIA NOTE: On episode No. 146 "The Call of the,
Like, Wild" on the sitcom THE MANY LOVES OF DOBIE GILLIS/CBS/1959-63, a chemical
mixture makes Maynard G. Krebs (Bob Denver) irresistible to women. See also
"Granny's Love Potions"